For 50 years, award-winning San Francis Francisco’s Quartet has challenged and reimagined what a string quartet can be. Now, as part of its Five Decades Tour, the ensemble comes to Halifax in a November 5 concert featuring works from Inuk composer Tanya Tagaq, African-American composer Jlin, and Grammy Award-winning composer Steve Reich.
As part of my residency, I am thrilled to get to bring Kronos Quartet with me to Halifax. And I am even more excited for my colleagues in the quartet to get to experience the support and full-heartedness of Halifax. – Paul Wiancko
Along with David Harrington and John Sherba on violins and Hank Dutt on viola is cellist Paul Wiancko, Cecilia Concerts’ 2023/24 musician-in-residence. Established more than twenty years ago, the musician-in-residence program has allowed the Halifax music presenter to “contribute meaningfully to the evolution of artistic endeavours by classical musicians, leading the way for experimentation and growth in the field of chamber music.”
Calling it an honour to be Cecilia Concerts’ musician-in-residence during its 35th anniversary season, Wiancko remembers the first time he performed in Halifax.
“The warmth and enthusiasm of the Cecilia Concerts audience encompassed me and inspired me to bring out my very best; it was like playing for a roomful of old friends,” he says. “As part of my residency, I am thrilled to get to bring Kronos Quartet with me to Halifax. And I am even more excited for my colleagues in the quartet to get to experience the support and full-heartedness of Halifax.”
As part of his residency, in addition to performing with the Kronos Quartet, Wiancko will perform with percussionist Ian David Rosenbaum in February 2024.
Founded by Harrington in 1973, Kronos has since performed thousands of concerts worldwide, releasing more than 70 recordings and collaborating with many of the world’s most accomplished composers and performers. Through its nonprofit organization, Kronos Performing Arts Association, Kronos has commissioned over 1,000 works and arrangements for string quartets. Kronos has received more than 40 awards, including three Grammys.
Cecilia Concerts presents the Kronos Quartet at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax on November 5. Visit ceciliaconcerts.ca for tickets and information.